2. amps-preamps
  3. 1233291328

how to use gain control on a preamp

Maybe a silly question, but I just got a Magus preamp, paired it with a Belles 150a SS power amp and find it a bit bright with my speakers. Fellow who sold me the Magus said keep the right and left gain controls wide open. This doesn't work--too harsh in the highs. So I pull back on the gain and it keeps the detail, but where is the optimum?

I feel like I could fiddle back and forth with the 3 controls for quite a while before tame this beast. There are also gain controls on the speakers which has always been a problem figuring out. I try to keep that sort of in the middle (30 yr old Chicago Speakerworks 2-ways). Of course I should put some carpet on the wood floor and drapes up to calm things down too.

Well just wondering if there is some sensible process to follow so I don't wander around in the gain control wilderness.
lynnc

Showing 2 responses by lynnc

lynnc OP
6 posts
 
Sidssp I suspected it was kind of complicated interaction. I can experiment, but I'm glad to hear you all indicate that wide open is not preferred. You hear so many things around audio equipment it is nice to have this forum to gather some need perspective.

The pre amp was from a dealer and the Belles was off Audiogon recently.

I suppose it depends on the music too, so it is nice to have some control. I just have to get a handle on what I'm doing with it.

thanks much
lynnc OP
6 posts
 
Looks like to get the volume control up to the 10 to 12 o'clock position the gains need to be at about 9...which might seem to muffle the output some, but as it warms up it seems like a fuller sound...not so harsh. Also there is a fine amount of 3D effect with the gain turned down.

This is pretty much opposite of the advice given to me at the shop, but his solution was to buy a different amp--maintained it was a mismatch with the amps. Characterized the sound as "dry". I tried to match these components as people advised in another thread here and got the Belles because it has 100K input impedance and was supposed to provide a warm sound in combination with a tube amp.

So any more comments on setting the gain so low would be appreciated. Maybe it is just what sounds good to me, but if this seems like a mismatch, then...well anyone in the market for a Belles amp?

thanks.
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